Prolonged depolarization of skeletal muscle cells induces entry of extracellular calcium into muscle cells, an event referred to as excitation-coupled calcium entry. Skeletal muscle… (More)
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by abnormal calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscle in response to triggering agents. Today, genetic investigations on… (More)
BACKGROUND
Succinylcholine remains the standard neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in emergency situations. The short duration of action is due to its rapid hydrolytic degradation by… (More)
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteins involved in the remodelling and homeostasis of the extracellular matrix. These proteases have been well studied in the retina and the… (More)
The kinase Akt is a key downstream mediator of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase signaling pathway and participates in a variety of cellular processes. Akt comprises three isoforms each encoded by a… (More)
Skeletal muscle complaints are a common consequence of cholesterol-lowering therapy. Transverse tubular (T-tubular) vacuolations occur in patients having statin-associated myopathy and, to a lesser… (More)
Various insults cause ototoxicity in mammals by increasing oxidative stress leading to apoptosis of auditory hair cells (HCs). The thiazolidinediones (TZDs; e.g., pioglitazone) and fibrate (e.g.,… (More)
Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, known as statins, are commonly used as cholesterol-lowering drugs. During the past decade, evidence has emerged that statins also have… (More)
Hair cell damage is a side effect of cisplatin and aminoglycoside use. The inhibition or attenuation of this process is a target of many investigations. There is growing evidence that STAT1… (More)
A 37-yr-old patient scheduled for elective bursectomy developed fulminant malignant hyperthermia (MH) under sevoflurane anesthesia. The first sign was a dramatic increase in end-tidal CO(2).… (More)